Martin's Meatballs with Red Sauce
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Beef
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, small diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with juices
  • handful of basil leaves, cut into thin strips
  • 2 bay leaves
  • pinch of crushed red peppers, if desired
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • MEATBALLS
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 pound ground beef (85/15)
  • ⅓ cup vegetable broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 1 large egg
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Freshly grated cheese for serving
Instructions
  1. For the sauce: heat the oil and add onions to a pot over medium heat, once softened, add garlic, stirring to make sure garlic doesn't burn. Stir in tomato paste; cook for a few minutes, stir until well blended. Add can of crushed tomatoes, then crush each canned peeled tomato over the pot, letting them fall as you work. Stir in remaining juices from the can. Stir in basil and bay leaves, and crushed red pepper for heat, if desired, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While sauce is cooking, make meatballs: Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, panko, broth, garlic, shallot, egg. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use your hands to mix them all together until well incorporated. Form 12-16 meatballs using a disher. Place on foil lined baking sheet, bake in oven for 18 minutes, flipping meatballs halfway through.
  3. Serve with pasta of choice, top with freshly grated cheese.
Notes
I like to pair this up with spaghetti and a french bread!
Recipe by the minimalist table at https://www.daraboxer.com/theminimalisttable/martins-meatballs-with-red-sauce/